The phone rang at the church on Sunday evening, and I answered, "Emanuel Lutheran Church." The person on the other end asked if we had scratch-off tickets.

Tim Carey

Friday

Oct 24, 2008 at 12:01 AMOct 24, 2008 at 6:00 PM

I said, "Pardon me," and she repeated her question, asking again if we had scratch-off lottery tickets. I asked whom she was trying to call, and she said, "The convenience store." I explained that she had reached the church. She quickly hung up.

I have thought and prayed about what to write in this column. I started one article about how I was flipped off while driving about two weeks ago, but obviously changed my mind.

I thought about writing on the economic struggles of our country, but the stock market is up today, so I thought better. I could have written about some of the community controversies that have been hot topics lately, but figured enough was being said in all kinds of places, so I thought I would pass on any of those subjects.

So here you go; the Lutheran pastor is writing about lottery tickets. No, we don't sell scratch-off or any other kinds of lottery tickets at Emanuel. But I got a chuckle out of that call. We get mail at church addressed to "Mr. Emanuel Lutheran." That, too. gives me some joy. In the midst of all the controversies and struggles of this world, God gives humor, laughter and joy.

This morning I sat with a family as a loved one was in surgery.

We passed the time talking about a whole myriad of subjects, and we found moments of laughter and joy as we waited for the surgery to end and the doctor to come out.

When I gather to visit with a family in preparation for a funeral, I find that those times of sharing and reflection bring a strange combination of tears and laughter as the life of a loved one is remembered and recounted.

There is much joy in our churches and even, at times, laughter. In our lives as God's people joy and laughter are gifts of God's grace and love.

The Bible speaks about laughter and joy. In Genesis, when Sarah receives the news that she will have a son in her advanced years, she laughs, and the child is named "Isaac," which means laughter.

In Luke 15:7, we hear the words of Jesus proclaim, "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance."

Can we see the gifts of laughter and joy as an opportunity to celebrate God's presence with his people even in the midst of difficult days?

Even in the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaims, "Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh." (Luke 6:21b).

No, we don't sell scratch-off tickets, but we'll give you a bit of joy for your daily journey!

Tim Carey is pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.

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